Asset control system

Abstract

A system for storing a plurality of tangible assets, the system having an RF component associable with a tangible asset, wherein the RF component has a unique identifier and is configured to receive a carrier signal and emit a modulated carrier signal, wherein modulation of the carrier signal is based on the unique identifier. The system also has an RF detection system having a plurality of RF coils, wherein each coil is arranged to emit a carrier signal and receive the modulated carrier signal emitted by the RF component, a processor in communication with each of the plurality of RF coils, wherein the processor is configured to poll the plurality of RF coils by selectively allowing current to flow through one or more of the plurality of RF coils at a time and identify the RF component based on modulation of the carrier signal.

1 . A system for storing a plurality of tangible assets, the system comprising:
 an RF component, wherein the RF component is associable with a tangible asset, and wherein the RF component has a unique identifier and is configured to receive a carrier signal and emit a modulated carrier signal, wherein modulation of the carrier signal is based on the unique identifier;   an RF detection system, comprising:
 a plurality of RF coils, wherein each coil is arranged to emit a carrier signal and receive the modulated carrier signal emitted by the RF component; 
 a processor in communication with each of the plurality of RF coils, wherein the processor is configured to:
 poll the plurality of RF coils by selectively allowing current to flow through one or more of the plurality of RF coils at a time; and, 
 identify the RF component based on modulation of the carrier signal. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is part of a microcontroller, the microcontroller comprising a plurality of pin ports, wherein each of the plurality of RF coils is connected to a corresponding pin port of the microcontroller. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the microcontroller has a peripheral pin selection (PPS) function allowing each pin port to be configured as an output of the carrier signal. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein each of the pin ports is configured to be an output of the carrier signal in sequence. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of RF coils are connected to a corresponding pin port on a first side, and to the microcontroller on a second side thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of RF coils are connected to a common peak detector and filter to remove the carrier signal on the second side, between the RF coils and the microcontroller. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to measure the peak to peak level from the active RF coil to determine returned signal amplitude. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine the distance between the RF component and the one of the RF coils based on the peak amplitude of the modulated carrier signal. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of RF coils are arranged on a single printed circuit board. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of RF coils are printed over 4 layers of a PCB.